pepsiini

Pepsiini is a taxonomic tribe of moths within the order Lepidoptera. The name follows the convention of -ini endings used for tribes in zoological classification. Its recognition and circumscription have varied among authors, and many classifications do not universally treat Pepsiini as a distinct group.

Members are typically medium to large hawkmoths or sphingid-like moths, with stout bodies and forewings that are often cryptically colored. Wing patterns commonly employ browns or greens to blend with bark and foliage; hindwings may be hidden at rest. Morphological traits used to diagnose the group include structures of the male genitalia and wing venation, which have figured prominently in taxonomic debates.

Geographic distribution is broad but uneven, with records in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, and occasional reports in the Americas. Habitats range from forests to scrubland edges, where larvae feed on a variety of host plants.

Taxonomic status: The tribe's monophyly is debated, and molecular studies have sometimes placed its constituent genera in other tribes. As a result, the exact membership of Pepsiini remains unstable across sources.

In practice, Pepsiini is encountered mainly in scholarly discussions of Lepidoptera systematics and is seldom used outside academic contexts. It serves as an example of how tribal concepts can be fluid in the face of new data.